Classic wrought iron styling, with its appealing curves and elegant design, is extremely popular. Originally handmade (wrought) by blacksmiths, wrought iron furniture is constructed from solid round bars formed into shape. Wrought iron is particularly versatile, working both effectively indoors and out as well as offering seating groupings designed for use with cushions or without.
Today's wrought iron finishes are absolutely extraordinary. While the most popular frame colours are still black and green, there are exciting new finishes available in textures. These multifaceted coatings protect your furniture from rust while lending it the air of a prized antique. Motifs range from simple to ornate. Some pieces are adorned with decorative flowers, leaves, or other designs. Quality manufacturers create these ornaments from thick aluminum castings with exquisite detail, which have been moulded from hand carved or antique dies. On less expensive pieces, the accents are simply stamped out.
It is important to know that not all wrought iron is created equal. There are many knock-offs masquerading as quality. The steel rods are a smaller diameter, the item is void of reinforcement, the iron has not been properly prepared, there is generally a lack of intricate detailing and the finish is nothing but spray paint. Although all iron requires occasional touch-up, a quality coating ensures low maintenance and decades of use.
Wrought aluminum marries the centuries old craft of hand forging to the twentieth century performance of aluminum. Introduced only a few seasons ago, it provides the traditional elegance of the wrought-iron look in a material that is lightweight and rustproof. This relatively new furniture type is constructed in the same manner as "casual aluminum". It is then powder coated, often with wonderful textured or faux finishes which enable this furniture, made from space age materials, to resemble treasured collectors' items.
By appearance alone, it can be difficult to tell whether a particular set of wrought or cast furniture is made from iron or aluminum. However, a simple "heft test" will do the trick. Iron furniture will always be heavier. Wrought aluminum offers the look of traditional elegance in an easy care version. Though wrought aluminum cannot duplicate the more intricate wrought iron or cast aluminum stylings, some believe that it represents the ideal marriage of classic styling and technology.
Casual aluminum furniture is arguably the most practical type of outdoor furniture available. It offers lightweight, durable frames with comfortable seating that is extremely easy to care for. Although not as extravagant as cast or wrought furniture, the simplicity of casual aluminum will blend comfortably in with most decor and is perfect for around the pool.
Aluminum is a more expensive raw material than steel yet it offers a lighter weight to the frame and the assurance that there will be no rusting. Not all casual aluminum furniture is created equally and as a result, there are many price points for aluminum furniture in the market. Gauge and purity of aluminum, frame finishing, paint quality and preparation, and seating material qualities are a few of the factors that may contribute to the price point of an aluminum piece.
Most quality casual aluminum furniture is made from hollow tubing that has been extruded, a process where molten metal is forced through a form with a shaped hole, known as a die. The variety of shapes in which extruded tubing may be created is limitless. Extrusions are designed with special internal reinforcing ribs for added frame strength. The industries premium furniture manufacturers will commonly use more internal reinforcements resulting in a seamless tube that is much stronger and less likely to bend or break under pressure.
There are some manufacturers of aluminum furniture that construct their frames from tubular aluminum. This aluminum is rolled and formed into a round tube and then welded. Welding techniques are such now that this weld is quite often invisible to the eye. In the factory, the tubing is cut and bent around jigs to form the elements of the furniture frame - seats, backs, arms, table tops, legs, etc... These shaped parts are then welded or bolted together to create a chair, chaise, table or accessory piece. The tubing which frames a seating area is notched or channeled to receive vinyl straps, straps to support cushions, or slings.
Following assembly, each piece of furniture receives a series of chemical sprays to clean the surface and prepare it for a coating of colour. The colour, in the form of special powder, is electro statically applied and then literally baked in an oven, forming a plastic skin that bonds to the aluminum and will not chip, peel or crack. This final finish, known as powder coating, can be as much as six times thicker than paint depending upon the manufacturer and is very resistant to weather and scratching. Finally, straps, cushions, or slings are affixed.
Cast Aluminum is quite often looked upon as investment casual furniture. It features classic designs whose roots may be traced back to the cast-iron stylings of the eighteenth century. This furniture is produced by pouring molten aluminum into moulds and -then allowing it to cool. The prototype for each casting mould is hand carved, permitting elaborate detailing.
Each element of a piece of furniture; seat, arms, legs, chair back or table top - is produced separately in moulds creating several solid aluminum extrusions, then each piece is ground and polished. Lastly these separate pieces are welded together to form one single piece of furniture. The leading furniture houses commonly use this welding technique to construct a piece while other lower quality manufactures will bolt frame parts together as a less expensive form of assembly. During the last few years, we have also begun to see some manufacturers combining cast aluminum pieces with extruded pieces (i.e.: a cast seat and back on a chair with extruded legs as a means of reducing the cost of the piece. In many cases, one cannot tell the difference until one lifts the item as extruded aluminum pieces will be somewhat lighter.
Furniture of cast aluminum is often so exquisitely detailed that it seems to have come from a museum. But, like casual aluminum, cast aluminum is amazingly durable and simple to maintain. The finishes, usually powder coatings, are special as well. Finishes may be smooth or textured to the touch with colours ranging from solid, single tones to intricate blends of several colours. Because of its cost, cast aluminum is not for the family that craves a new look every few seasons. However, this furniture can create an outdoor room second to none.
With today's trends leading more to the use of "natural" products, wood outdoor furniture is undergoing a revival. It's long-lasting, ideal for the garden look and available in a tremendous variety of styles and types of wood. Outdoor wood furniture has become contemporary and elegant in styling. No longer limited to chunky redwood sets and splintery sawbuck picnic tables, outdoor wood is now fashionable, durable and in demand.
When looking at wood furniture one might be overwhelmed by all that's available. Pine, oak, cypress, teak, mahogany, cedar, maple, birch and beech as well as an array of exotic African, South American and Asian hardwoods such as jarrah, chamfutti, bubinga and shorea are currently available in the North American market. Wood may be stained, oiled or painted. Each type of wood and finish offers a unique look and specific benefits.
The cost of the finished product is reflected in the type and grade of wood used, the design, the amount and complexity of labour involved to produce a piece, the joinery, the hardware and the weight. While exotic woods and hand carving can be costly, wood furniture offers outstanding values at every price point. The highest quality products often feature mortise and tenon joints, wood dowels and brass or stainless steel hardware. It is also important to be aware of is how manufacturers harvest their products. Many producers of wood casual furniture are sensitive to environmental issues. A good number have received certification attesting that they harvest their wood in an approved manner from sanctioned plantations.
Wood furniture can be virtually maintenance-free if you allow it to naturally weather to a handsome silver-grey, as most homeowners do. Should one prefer to preserve the original colour, they must be willing apply cleaners, brighteners and sealers to the pieces from time to time. Wood finished with high gloss lacquer or paint requires more attention than natural or stained wood.
Casual furniture made of wood is extremely versatile. It may be used with or without cushions. In addition to marvelous pieces for dining and lounging, there is a terrific array of accent pieces available including porch swings, benches, tea carts, occasional tables and more. An accent in wood can transform any area of one's outdoor room into something special, even if the rest of the outdoor pieces are not wood.
(NATURAL, ALL-WEATHER, AND RESIN/VIYNL WICKER)
Hand-crafted, natural, and always quite special, the distinctive look of wicker and rattan furniture adds charm and style to any setting, mixing beautifully with hardwood and upholstered pieces of every period. All-weather and resin or vinyl wickers are relatively new products that allow you to take the charm and style of natural wicker into the outdoors.
Contrary to common belief, wicker is not a material, but rather a technique of weaving long pliant strips (most often reed in the case of natural wicker) to create a variety of different products. Natural wicker products are typically not durable enough to withstand the outdoor elements. To achieve weather resistant natural wicker products items must be treated with special coatings to protect the materials from weather damage. Alternatively, some manufacturers are choosing to use durable synthetics such as resin or vinyl to create outdoor wicker. These synthetics are ideal for outdoor use as they are not affected by moisture, dirt, or cold. They are easy to clean and last years without deteriorating. Most often outdoor wicker furniture will be woven on aluminum frames adding to the durability factor.
While weather-resistant wicker is designed to be used outdoors, many buy it for important indoor rooms simply because they like the look. Leading manufacturers in this category ensure that their products are rain-proof, sun-proof, snow-proof and chlorine-proof. As a result, this furniture may be left outside without any worry. Again, caution should be taken when evaluating the many choices available. A number of off shore "knock-offs" are finding their way into the market place. Although they may be competitively priced, they may be lacking in quality synthetic materials which may result in performance problems within a few years.
Today's casual outdoor fabrics have the style and panache of the most fashionable indoor textiles. The colours are rich and the patterns are lush. There are textures, tone on tone stripes, and intricate jacquard weaves. These fabrics are now dyed, printed and woven with the same wide range of techniques used to create those delectable indoor fabrics. More importantly, these textiles can take the worst that Mother Nature has to offer. They are low maintenance, high style, and most importantly weather resistant.